8 Days Ruaha, Udzungwa & Kilombero River Safari

Overview

What makes this journey special

Two full days in RuahaSanje Waterfalls hike & campKilombero River boat birdingFull day Mikumi game drive

Eight days from Ruaha’s baobab country through Udzungwa rainforest and Sanje Falls camping to a Kilombero River boat day and full Mikumi game drives – ending in Dar for Zanzibar or your flight home.

This southern circuit route links Tanzania’s largest national park with the Eastern Arc mountains and the Kilombero floodplain before finishing on Mikumi’s open Mkata plains. It suits travellers who want Ruaha and Mikumi wildlife without the northern crowds, plus hiking, waterfalls and a river safari in between.

Wild Gaze is based in Iringa, the gateway to Ruaha, so your driver-guide knows the park’s river circuits, lion country and seasonal waterholes. Camping one night below Sanje Waterfalls adds a rare mountain night in one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests.

Pricing is tailored to season, group size and lodge level – request a quote and we will match camps, the mountain hike logistics and your Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar connection.

See the journey

Destinations you will visit on this safari

Ruaha National Park Explore destination →

Udzungwa Mountains Explore destination →

Mikumi National Park Explore destination →

Day by day

Your itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Drive to Ruaha National Park and settle in. Depending on arrival time, head out for an afternoon game drive along the Great Ruaha River – baobabs, elephant herds and lion country in golden light. Overnight in Ruaha.

Game driveRuaha lodge or camp

Day 2

Full day in Ruaha

Ruaha National Park

Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch, exploring different sectors of the park for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, greater kudu, hippo and predators. Overnight in Ruaha.

Full-day safariPicnic lunch

Day 3

Ruaha to Udzungwa Mountains

Ruaha · Southern Highlands · Udzungwa

After breakfast, drive from Ruaha towards Udzungwa Mountains National Park through changing highland scenery. Arrive in the Mang'ula / Udzungwa area in the late afternoon and rest before the mountain day ahead. Overnight near Udzungwa.

Scenic transfer

Day 4

Sanje Waterfalls hike & camping

Udzungwa Mountains · Sanje Falls

Guided hike into Udzungwa rainforest towards spectacular Sanje Waterfalls – forest birds, endemic primates and views over the Kilombero Valley. Continue to the camping area and spend the night in the mountain environment below the falls.

HikingMountain camping

Day 5

Sunrise at Sanje Falls · Ifakara / Kilombero

Sanje · Kilombero Valley

Early morning at Sanje Waterfalls as the forest wakes – a peaceful sunrise over the valley. After breakfast, descend and continue towards Ifakara on the Kilombero River for overnight before the river safari.

SunriseValley transfer

Day 6

Kilombero boat safari · Mikumi

Kilombero River · Mikumi National Park

Morning boat safari on the Kilombero River for birding and crocodiles along the banks. Return for lunch, then drive to Mikumi National Park and relax at your lodge or camp. Overnight in Mikumi.

Boat safariTransfer to Mikumi

Day 7

Full day Mikumi game drive

Mikumi National Park

Full-day game drive on the Mkata floodplain and woodland margins – elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion and hippo with a picnic lunch in the park. Overnight in Mikumi.

Full-day safari

Day 8

Mikumi to Dar es Salaam · departure

Mikumi · Dar es Salaam · Zanzibar or airport

After breakfast, drive to Dar es Salaam. Connect with an evening fast ferry to Zanzibar or your international flight home. End of tour.

Road transferDeparture

Getting there

Arrival & transfers

Starts in Ruaha (road from Iringa or Dar es Salaam, or domestic flight to Ruaha airstrip). Ends in Dar es Salaam for Zanzibar ferry or Julius Nyerere International Airport. Wild Gaze arranges all transfers in your quote.

Inclusions